1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 781
 1-3                                  In Memory
 1-4                                     of
 1-5                              Earl Wesley Smith
 1-6           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the
 1-7     citizens of San Angelo and the legal community in honoring the life
 1-8     and work of prominent lawyer and civic leader Earl Wesley Smith,
 1-9     who died March 20, 2001, at the age of 81; and
1-10           WHEREAS, The life of one individual can have a remarkable
1-11     impact on the lives of many, and such a person was Earl Smith who
1-12     contributed to the progress and development of his city and his
1-13     profession; and
1-14           WHEREAS, Born the son of James William Smith, Sr., and
1-15     Sallie Elizabeth Baskin Smith, on November 6, 1919, Earl graduated
1-16     from Plainview High School, completed his undergraduate work in
1-17     1940 at Schreiner Institute, and entered The University of Texas
1-18     School of Law; and
1-19           WHEREAS, Exchanging vows with his beloved,
1-20     Hattie Mozelle Owens on August 31, 1941, Earl interrupted his
1-21     marriage and his schooling in May, 1942, to serve his country
 2-1     as a radio operator in the United States Army Air Corps during
 2-2     World War II; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, He returned to law school after the war to
 2-4     complete his studies and graduated in June, 1947; he moved to
 2-5     San Angelo in 1947 and opened a private law practice; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, Serving as San Angelo City Attorney, Tom Green
 2-7     County Attorney, 51st Judicial District Attorney, 51st Judicial
 2-8     District Judge, and 3rd Court of Appeals Judge, Mr. Smith earned
 2-9     the admiration and respect of all who were associated with him;
2-10     and
2-11           WHEREAS, He devoted much of his time and energies to the
2-12     Juvenile Delinquency Committee of the Family Law Association and
2-13     the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and Texas Penal Code revision
2-14     committee; in addition, he lectured on criminal law at the Judicial
2-15     College at Sam Houston State University and actively participated
2-16     in the Tom Green County Bar Association; and
2-17           WHEREAS, The outstanding attorney was also a staunch
2-18     Democrat who served his political party with the same fervor he
2-19     displayed in his profession; he was Tom Green County Democratic
2-20     chairman and the West Texas State Democratic committeeman for two
2-21     terms; and
2-22           WHEREAS, Serving on the San Angelo Independent School
2-23     District board, he worked tirelessly for the desegregation of the
 3-1     district and was instrumental in the building of San Angelo Central
 3-2     High School and sports stadium; and
 3-3           WHEREAS, A devout Christian, Mr. Smith was a deacon and
 3-4     elder at Johnson Street Church of Christ and, after moving to
 3-5     Austin, he gave generously of his time as an elder at University
 3-6     Avenue Church of Christ; and
 3-7           WHEREAS, In living his life to the fullest, this warm and
 3-8     compassionate gentleman worked diligently as president of the
 3-9     West Texas Christian Foundation to aid in the realization of a
3-10     dream for a senior citizen retirement center; and
3-11           WHEREAS, His wisdom, kindness, and valued counsel will be
3-12     remembered with affection by all who knew and loved him, and his
3-13     absence will be deeply felt; now, therefore, be it
3-14           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-15     77th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the
3-16     family of Earl Wesley Smith:  his wife, Mozelle Owens Smith;
3-17     his children, Bobby Earl Smith and Judy Smith, Janice Smith Moss,
3-18     Martha Nell Smith, and Marilee Lindemann; his brother,
3-19     James W. Smith, Jr.; and his four grandchildren; and, be it further
3-20           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
3-21     the members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from
3-22     the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do
3-23     so in memory of Earl Wesley Smith.
 4-1                                                               Wentworth
 4-2                                  ______________________________________
 4-3                                         President of the Senate
 4-4                                       I hereby certify that the above
 4-5                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
 4-6                                  on April 20, 2001, by a rising vote.
 4-7                                  ______________________________________
 4-8                                         Secretary of the Senate
 4-9                                  ______________________________________
4-10                                           Member, Texas Senate